How to Treat a Dislocated Joint

A dislocation happens when two bones that form a joint are displaced from their original position. Common signs of a dislocation include severe pain, an inability to move the affected joint, and visible deformity. Dislocations can occur in almost any joint, including the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, and ankle. Even the smaller joints of fingers and toes are at risk. While professional medical care is essential for treatment, you can learn how to manage the situation until help arrives.

Wrap the dislocated joint with a sterile material. Taking steps to prevent infection is crucial, especially if there is an open wound at the joint site.

• It is advisable to wait for professional medical personnel and not attempt to clean the wound by yourself (if there is a wound or skin tear). Trying to clean the wound without proper sterile tools or medical expertise could worsen the infection.
• In this situation, simply wrapping the dislocated joint is sufficient to minimize the risk of infection.

Stabilize the dislocated joint. Use non-stick gauze like Telfa if there is an open wound. Avoid trying to reposition the joint yourself in any way, as this could cause further damage. It is best to keep the joint stabilized and wait for medical professionals to provide treatment.

• Keep both the upper and lower parts of the joint as stable as possible to ensure that the dislocated joint stays in the most stable position while awaiting medical attention.
• If the shoulder joint is dislocated, you can use a sling (or create a makeshift sling by tying a long piece of cloth into a circle) to keep the arm supported against the body. Ensure that the sling holds the arm close to the body. Instead of only looping the sling around the neck, it should be wrapped around the upper body and then tied at the neck.
• If the dislocation is at another joint like the knee or elbow, a splint is the best option. You can create a splint using wooden slats or other sturdy materials, securing them with bandages or cloth straps.

Monitor the dislocated area. Make sure the patient's limbs are not experiencing numbness, temperature changes, or weak pulses. These signs indicate potential disruption of blood flow or nerve damage leading down to the limbs. If any of these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical help to treat the dislocation.

• Check the pulse at the furthest point from the body's center – at the wrist for a dislocated arm or shoulder, or at the top of the foot or behind the ankle bone for leg injuries.

Do not allow the patient to eat or drink during dislocation treatment. Doctors typically need the patient's stomach to be empty, especially if surgery may be required.

Seek timely medical assistance. If the patient displays any of the following symptoms, call 115 immediately for emergency medical help:

• Excessive bleeding
• Severe other injuries
• Possible head, neck, or spinal trauma (do not move the patient if spinal injury is suspected to prevent further harm)
• Numbness in the dislocated joint area or in the extremities (fingers, toes, etc.)
• Always seek immediate medical attention even if none of these symptoms are present. Though they are more urgent, all dislocations require timely medical assessment and treatment. If possible, transport the injured person to the local medical clinic, or call 115 for assistance.

Reduce pain around the dislocated joint with a cold compress. This also helps decrease swelling and provides relief to the injured area. Be sure not to apply ice or a cold pack directly to the skin when treating a dislocation to avoid skin damage. Always wrap the compress in a cloth before use.

• Apply the ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes per session.

Take Ibuprofen (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for severe pain. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the label. Both medications are over-the-counter drugs that are available at pharmacies or local stores.

Prepare for treatment. When the patient is admitted to the hospital, medical staff will realign the bones around the joint. This process is known as 'reduction.' Local anesthesia is usually given beforehand, as the procedure can be quite painful (however, the pain will subside once the joint is returned to its correct position).

• After the bones are realigned, the doctor will stabilize the joint for several weeks, allowing the body to heal the injury naturally.
• Sometimes surgery is necessary if the doctor cannot manually realign the bones. In such cases, the joint will be stabilized after the surgery.

Begin rehabilitation when the joint is ready to move again. After several weeks of physical therapy, the patient will typically regain the joint's range of motion. This process also helps strengthen the muscles around the joint, which reduces the likelihood of future injuries.

• Only begin using the injured joint when approved by the doctor.